stabbing burning pain in open wound

i have an open surgical wound on my abdomin (abdomen) from 7/07 was on wound vac now doing wet to dry dressings i have servere burning stabbing pain in and around wound that just started days ago i had shingles years ago and this feels similar can i have shingles in the wound

Severe stabbing pain in the wound even long after surgery is giving the possibility of infection of the wound. Infection is the most common complication of any surgical procedure. Chances of post operative infection are more in diabetes,obesity,malnutrition, taking corticosteroid medications prescribed for another disorder or condition, a weakened immune system and in heavy smokers.

As an incision heals, it is normal to experience some redness, swelling, itching, minor skin irritation or oozing of tissue fluid, or small lumps in the skin near the incision. Complete wound healing takes about 6 months.But if there is any redness, severe pain in the incision line, fever or drainage of any serous or watery discharge or any pus from the incision line then infection should be suspected. It can be confirmed after culture sensitivity of the wound swabs/blood/discharge from the wound. Specific antibiotics are then prescribed. Pls get in touch with your surgeon and discuss your symptoms with him as antibiotics have to be prescribed.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep us posted on how you are doing.

Yellowish green discharge from the wound is diagnostic of wound infection. Infection of the stitch line is a common complication of any surgery.

First of all regular change of the dressings preferably from a healthcare provider is necessary. The aim is to keep the dressing dry and clean. Doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics for the wound after culture sensitivity of the wound discharge or wound swabs. You will also need to take an oral course of antibiotics to combat the infection and prevent it from reoccurring.

Pls take a nutritious diet and avoid any physical activity that causes an exertion on your stitch line. Also maintain a good level of personal and environmental hygiene.

If the infection does not heal,then I am afraid,the wound has to be opened again and then regular dressings with specific antibiotic have to be done until the wound is a healthy wound with red granulation tissue and then stitches have to be reapplied.

i am scheduled for surgery on 9/11 he said he will do debriedment and close since it hasn't healed with woundvac plus it is so painful everytime i move it has now been open 1 year and 5 months original wound was from hysterectomy and hernia surgery 4/07 that open and got infected then surgery 7.07 debriedment i really hope this will work how can they close it if it is infected im really concerned thanks i am taking flagyl and lortab for pain

As yours is an open wound since such a long time,doctors will prefer doing surgical debridement in your case. Debridement is the process of removing non-living or necrotic tissue from pressure ulcers, burns, and other wounds.

In debridement, dead tissue is removed so that the remaining living tissue can adequately heal. Dead tissue exposed to the air will form a hard black crust, called an eschar. Deeper tissue will remain moist and may appear white, or yellow and soft, or flimsy. The four major debridement techniques are surgical, mechanical, chemical, and autolytic.

Pls don’t worry as debridement is a very effective and common procedure for removing dead tissue.First of all the surgeon will feel the depth of the wound with his hands and then the area will be cleaned with normal saline.Then with the help of a scalpel, scissors, or other instrument dead tissue is cut from the wound.All this is done under local anaesthesia. It is the quickest and most efficient method of debridement.
After debridement,dressings are applied which are to be changed periodically.Superficial opened wound can heal by secondary intention phenomenon,but if wound is a deep one,then resuturing of the wound is done.This is done only when healthy pink granulation tissue is seen after debridement and regular dressings.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.

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